In Huge Rapids, Michigan with the an arctic Christmas Eve, Chris is founded on their bed, would love to pay attention to new bells away from Santa’s sleigh, despite a buddy informing him Santa will not occur. An effective Conductor strategies exterior among the vehicles and discusses Chris’ screen, prompting your to go exterior. The guy informs Chris your train, called the Polar Express, is going to the fresh North Pole, so Chris generates their give plus the Conductor draws your agreeable.
For the instruct, Chris fits other youngsters going to the Northern Rod. Regarding excursion, they play Christmas carols, consume nougat-based candies, and you can drink hot cocoa as the train travel compliment of villages and you can forests and you will climbs mountains up until they gets to brand new North Pole in which Chris, plus the almost every other college students additionally the Conductor, get-off. Chris hears the fresh new silver bells regarding the reindeer’s use and believes this is the most incredible sound he’s heard. In the near future, Santa comes and determines Chris to get the first provide away from Christmas. Chris requires Santa for starters of your bells out-of his sleigh, very a keen elf cuts you to definitely regarding harness and throws they in order to Santa. Santa declares it the first gift from Christmas time and offer they so you can Chris, exactly who sets they within his gown wallet.
Character Child (Chris)
Immediately following Santa makes, the newest Conductor together with children go back on-board the newest instruct. Additional students ask to see new bell, but Chris simply feels a hole in the pocket whenever interacting with for it. One of many people ways 
each goes get a hold of they, nevertheless the show had already started moving. When they reach Chris’s house, Chris gets off and waves good-bye. The brand new Conductor wants your a beneficial merry Christmas, but Chris usually do not tune in to they away from his family, very the guy shouts it together with palms cupped up to his mouth.
The following early morning, Chris and his aunt, Sarah discover the presents. Sarah finds you to small introduce trailing this new forest and you may Chris opens up it to get the silver bell he lost. The guy shakes it and then he and Sarah each other enjoy the sound it can make. Although not, neither of the moms and dads is pay attention to it, because they do not trust Santa.
Initially, the majority of Chris’ family members was indeed together with in a position to tune in to brand new bell, but it manage slide silent for all of those along the years, even Sarah. Though they have grown dated, it nonetheless rings to have your.
Part regarding the flick
Since the book just implies that Chris is losing his faith in the Christmas heart, the movie yourself says their crisis.
Place in Huge Rapids, Michigan on one later cold Christmas Eve, Chris thinks the guy hears Santa’s sleigh bells, thus the guy happens downstairs to locate a shade like Santa, nevertheless actually is their dad providing Sarah to help you get a glass or two regarding drinking water. He extends back upstairs so you’re able to their room and you will watches, through the keyhole, Sarah advising the lady parents from the getting advised Santa doesn’t exist, however, the girl mothers to ensure their one Santa will come. Chris checks an enthusiastic encyclopedia, and therefore states your Northern Rod are «without lives.» The guy together with investigates a classic mag, a magazine headlining good Santa struck, and you may picture of a lady with an emporium Santa and you can pull their mustache.
Chris output to sleep, it is woken once again in the event the show comes up outside. He places toward his slippers and you can gown and you can happens outside. The Conductor procedures exterior and you may informs Chris concerning teach, in addition to specific signs of disbelief inside the Santa he has got come demonstrating in 2010, and zero visualize that have an emporium Santa, no letter so you can Santa, and and make Sarah released the fresh milk products and you will snacks. Chris very first declines brand new trip, but just as they starts swinging, he works on-board the brand new instruct.